Investigation into the Binding Sites of Dual Specific Antibodies in Cancerous Genes

Faith I. Vietor
Dr. Bill R. Miller, Faculty Mentor

The immune system utilizes antibodies to identify antigens. Dual specific antibodies can bind two unrelated protein antigens. Through increasing the structural plasticity of binding sites and avoiding thermodynamic cost, these molecules can inhibit cellular proliferation. The antibody BH1 is involved in binding to the Human Epidermal Growth Factor 2 (HER2) as well as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and is the first of its kind to inhibit tumor development. HER2 is a protein that has been found to have implications in cancer development, specifically, breast cancer. Because it is always in an active conformation and undergoes constant replication, HER2 is versatile. VEGF is a signal protein that contributes to the formation of blood vessels; overexpression can lead to cancer. This study uses computational methods to investigate the binding sites and conditions surrounding BH1 as an antibody leading to possible recommendations in making the inhibitor more effective. 

Keywords: HER2, Antibody, Cancer , Protein, VEGF, Antigen, Inhibition, Binding

Topic(s):Chemistry
Biology

Presentation Type: Oral Paper

Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA